Beat Two

Beat Two on the East Burton Estate sits on the River Frome, Dorset's 30-mile chalk stream and the major chalkstream of southwest England. This is roughly 0 mile of double-bank main river water, carrying classic chalk stream features including riffles, pools and glides, with crystal-clear water that rewards careful sight fishing. Wading is permitted, which opens up the fuller width of the river and is particularly useful when working the far bank in summer.

The target species are Brown Trout, Grayling, Sea Trout, Salmon, and the beat is lightly stocked to complement a resident wild population. Grayling run to over three pounds on the East Burton water, and the fishing is rated as challenging, suiting an angler who is comfortable reading water and presenting a fly accurately. Fly fishing only is permitted, with both dry fly and nymph in use across the season. The trout season opens in April with a grannom hatch, the mayfly follows from late May into June, and olives, sedges, ants and daddy-long-legs extend the dry fly fishing well into autumn. The Frome is less affected by abstraction than any other chalk stream, so the fishing holds up well throughout the season. The river has a growing reputation as one of the best in the country to target big grayling, with sight nymphing the primary approach through late summer and autumn.

Day tickets start from £60 during the main season. Grayling season day tickets are available from £35. The beat has a fishing hut with BBQ facilities, and on-site accommodation makes it a practical base for a multi-day visit to fish the full season. A light rod of 8 to 9 feet for a 3 or 4 weight line suits the water well, with fine tippets essential given the clarity of the River Frome.